Request for a group hug and an atta-boy for someone else...

I don't often go in this direction, but please gimme a minute...

I have mentioned on occasion that I have Interstitial Cystitis, aka IC.  Imagine the worst bladder infection you've ever had and it just won't go away.  Because there is no (identifiable) infection, there is no "easy way out," no antibiotic to take...and you just have to have non-stop frequency, urgency, inability to pee and/or pain when you do.  You have no REM sleep because you have to empty your blader about every 40 minutes--if you can wait that long--around the clock.  Of course, there is no sex life while this is happening.  You don't do too well at work in this condition because nobody understands why you are on your fifth potty-break of the morning...and besides, you haven't slept much...for two or three weeks or however long this flare decides to last.

There are a few medieval treatments, including instilling chemicals into your bladder.  Yeah...at home...do it yourself.  I am a coward, I go for pills.  Some people are sure it is diet-related, I lean toward the stress-related theory.  (And besides, a DS/IC/Kidney Stone diet would be ...water.)

ANYWAY...one of us on here is BOTH recuperating from DS surgery AND having an IC "flare."  She isn't out on the IC thing yet, so I'm not going to out her.  But if you know anything about this disease or want to give her a "Poor Baby" or something...now would be a good time.

Just so you know whay I'm mentioning this, the rate of suicide among IC patients is about four times higher than suicides in the general population.  It's a ROUGH patch.

So...if you feel like writing a "Dear Anonymous" note, I'm pretty sure it would be appreciated.

Sue

Dear Anonymous,
     I'm so sorry you are going through this awful disease. I hope you will find your way to a good urologist who can get things under control and get you feeling better.
     and of course I also hope your shiny new DS will be a great success!

Larra

Dear Anonymous,

Big hugs and a hope that you will get through this very soon!!! Many hugs!

 Dear Anonymous,

Thinking of you and hoping that you get some much needed relief soon. So sorry you are having to deal with this awful issue. 

Dear Anon,
Congrats on your DS and sympathies for all you are going through. I wish you a speedy recovery from the DS and the IC flare.

Dear Anoymous,

I hate that you are having to deal with this as well as recuperating from the DS.  I can't imagine what you and Sue are going through.  I have frequent UTI's, that's bad enough, I don't think I could handle these IC flare ups!

Thinking about you and Sue at this time!

I don't have any pain right now, Diane...last time was a couple of weeks ago.  But thanks.  And I hope you keep getting better.

Thanks Sue!

Dear Anonymous,

I don't know exactly what you're going through, but I am so sorry that you are. I hope that you are able to stay strong through this ****ty time. Please get better, please find some relief, and please accept my big cyber hug to you.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Dear Anon, Ms CC, and anyone else who suffers from this disease,

   I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. I can not even fathom what you go through when this flares up. All I can say is if you(anyone who has this) needs a shoulder to cry on, we are there for you.

Beth







Edited for spelling